Michael Pachla: Building the 2017-18 Buffalo Sabres roster--LW, Benoit Pouliot

Play it safe eh Pachla

Puliot in the top 6 means we still suck.

Even in hypethetical fan based blogging our thought process is conservative.

It's Buffalo, "there's always next year!"

Boring blog

Probably old news for some... but this at least is fun to think about.
https://www.hockeyfeed.co...-have-chosen-his-new-team

Play it safe eh Pachla

Puliot in the top 6 means we still suck.

Even in hypethetical fan based blogging our thought process is conservative.

It's Buffalo, "there's always next year!"

Boring blog
- washedup20

Play it safe eh Pachla

Puliot in the top 6 means we still suck.

Even in hypethetical fan based blogging our thought process is conservative.

It's Buffalo, "there's always next year!"

Boring blog
- washedup20

So what you're saying is you would have liked the blog more if he had just thrown Nylander in that spot instead?

Play it safe eh Pachla

Puliot in the top 6 means we still suck.

Even in hypethetical fan based blogging our thought process is conservative.

It's Buffalo, "there's always next year!"

Boring blog
- washedup20

call it like I see it

- Sabresfan-365

that looks like a very reasonable prediction

I would say there is a good chance that Pouliot starts as the 2nd line LW but I am hoping that either Nylander or Bailey can have big years in the AHL and perhaps take his spot mid way through the season. Pouliot can have a decent year with Buffalo, hopefully 15-17 goals and 20 assists, by playing along side ROR and Okposo and getting some pp time. Anything more than that is gravy.

that looks like a very reasonable prediction
- Michael Pachla

Agreed. Should note, doesn't include antipin because they didn't have nhl data but the guys who do project antipin to be an above average 3rd pair in year one so you sub that in for gorges thats a bump in the median score

- Sabresfan-365

- Hockey is a reactionary game, f**k your numbers

- The NHL has become about transition, speed, and creativity.

- We have youth, we have speed, we have creativity.

- We have a coach who played that way and has a track record of coaching that way

"Let's put a washed up 30 year old on wing with O'rielly and Okposo"

- Detroit needs someone to compete with for Dahlin

So what you're saying is you would have liked the blog more if he had just thrown Nylander in that spot instead?
- HonkFortheGoose

Yes, it's not just thrown in. We will be a better team with young faster more talented players in the line up.

We can watch the bills if we feel like watching a team loose

call it like I see it
- Michael Pachla

Get your eyes checked old man

Yes, it's not just thrown in. We will be a better team with young faster more talented players in the line up.

We can watch the bills if we feel like watching a team loose
- washedup20

Nylander didn't exactly tear up the ahl last season, and we're not even sure how his game will respond to the added bulk he put on this off season

Get your eyes checked old man
- washedup20

why so high on Nylander?

Oh god I knew it

I really hope this isn't the case

Probably old news for some... but this at least is fun to think about.
https://www.hockeyfeed.co...-have-chosen-his-new-team
- Simple

I don't see it but it's great to think about.

The only reason I don't see it is what sort of cap hit he is going to command especially on the open market.

Eichel, Tavares, and ROR down the middle looks amazing on paper but the cap hits are insane.

Now if that ROR for an extended Tavares rumor were true that's something different to discuss.

why so high on Nylander?
- Michael Pachla

I'm pretty high on nylander as well...but I'm higher on dahlin

Yes, it's not just thrown in. We will be a better team with young faster more talented players in the line up.

We can watch the bills if we feel like watching a team loose
- washedup20

Not if those players aren't ready for the NHL. If we see the Nylander we saw at the end of last year, it would be disastrous to put him there.

I'm not saying he can't come into camp and force his way onto the roster, but based on what we saw last year, he would get destroyed out there game after game.

Rumor is he's put a LOT of muscle on and is extremely motivated to prove he's ready. Now we just have to wait and see.


EDIT: Also, it's LOSE, not loose. Sorry, pet peeve of mine.

I'm pretty high on nylander as well...but I'm higher on dahlin
- Sabresfan-365

think the sabres will get lucky in the draft lotto?

why so high on Nylander?
- Michael Pachla

I am not super high on Nylander but the kid put in a ton of work, he is huge compared to last year.

Does this mean it's going to translate to a 55 point winger this year in the NHL? No, but the fact that he did the work is very promising.

think the sabres will get lucky in the draft lotto?
- Michael Pachla

You never know... I'm not from buffalo so not as down about the teams luck lol

I am not super high on Nylander but the kid put in a ton of work, he is huge compared to last year.

Does this mean it's going to translate to a 55 point winger this year in the NHL? No, but the fact that he did the work is very promising.
- Stripes77

couldn't agree more...training camp is just around the corner, we'll see if he's ready to make the jump

I am not super high on Nylander but the kid put in a ton of work, he is huge compared to last year.

Does this mean it's going to translate to a 55 point winger this year in the NHL? No, but the fact that he did the work is very promising.
- Stripes77

Fwiw he generated a ton of chances 5v5 last year...among the top ranked rookies.

Fwiw he generated a ton of chances 5v5 last year...among the top ranked rookies.
- Sabresfan-365

10g 18a and a minus-24 with Rochester...not the greatest of numbers, but not bad for an 18 yr. old

10g 18a and a minus-24 with Rochester...not the greatest of numbers, but not bad for an 18 yr. old
- Michael Pachla

Hard to have a decent season when the majority of the team around him was complete trash.

Other than Rodriguez, Baptiste, Bailey and Ullmark, there wasn't much else there to even remotely care about.

Murray did a bang up job of decimating that team.